New York Democrats have passed a controversial bill that replaces the term "mother" with "gestating parent" in state child custody and parental laws. The legislation, approved this week, also substitutes "father" with "non-gestating parent" or simply "parent" in family court, domestic relations, and education law.
Under the bill, "paternity" proceedings to determine a child's biological father will be renamed "parentage" cases. The term "putative father," often used for deadbeat dads, will now be referred to as "an alleged parent" in official state records. The bill, sponsored by liberal Senator Luis Sepulveda (D-Bronx) and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul's signature.
Criticism from Conservatives
State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, a former longtime legislative staffer, condemned the bill as "woke culture run amok." He stated, "It's an example of how out of tune the New York legislature is. It's an unnecessary and wasteful use of time." Kassar warned that the gender-neutral approach could trigger a wave of similar measures, criticizing lawmakers for prioritizing this over a timely state budget, which was nearly two months late.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman also attacked the bill, saying, "Democrats led by Kathy Hochul have continued their declaration of war on New York families by canceling the loving terms of Mom and Dad and replacing them with 'gestating and non-gestating parent.' The insanity ends when I'm Governor."
Republican Opposition
Republicans who voted against the bill called it outrageous. Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney remarked, "At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with high taxes, rising costs, and public safety concerns, Albany Democrats are focused on redefining motherhood." She added that it reflects out-of-touch politicians prioritizing progressive ideology over real issues.
State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Staten Island) said, "New Yorkers aren't walking down the street with their hands on top of their heads and saying, 'Oh my God! The law says mother and father.'" He voted against the bill, calling it another example of Democrats creating problems.
Context of Gender-Neutral Legislation
This bill follows a 2023 measure approved by Governor Hochul requiring all state laws to use gender-neutral terms like "they," "them," or "theirs" instead of gender-specific references. In 2018, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council allowed New Yorkers to select a third gender category, "X" for non-binary, on birth certificates.
The Democrat-dominated legislature passed the bill as the legislative session nears its end for the fiscal year, with some members reportedly rolling their eyes at the unwieldy phrasing.
